Police hunt thug who jumped queue in Chicken Cottage and then threatened a father with knife

A knife wielding thug threatened a father as he queued with his young son and nephew in a fast food shop in south London.

The 49-year-old father and the two boys were waiting in the Chicken Cottage in Streatham Hill when the suspected entered and tried to cut into the queue.

When the victim challenged him, the suspect became argumentative. The victim tried to calm the situation and said the man could go in front of him but the suspect continued to be aggressive and then took out a knife.

The father managed to push the man out of the shop, but the knifeman lunged at him and cut his hand.

Detectives from Lambeth CID today appealed for information on the incident which occurred at around 4pm on Wednesday February 7.

The suspect is described as a black male, around 5ft 7in tall, of slim build and with a dark-coloured patchy beard.

He was wearing a black jacket with the hood up, black trousers, and dark-coloured trainers and a rucksack. He had a south London accent.

Detective Constable Dominic Landragin said: “The suspect, when challenged about his behaviour, pulled out a knife and showed a clear willingness to use violence.

This incident happened at a busy time of day in front of schoolchildren who were terrified by what they saw. I want to trace this man and would ask anyone who thinks they might know who he is to contact police.”